Scotland's official flag is a white St Andrew's cross, or saltire, on a blue background. Unofficially, a flag with a red lion rampant on a yellow background is often used. This was formerly the banner of the Scottish king, and is still part of the Queen's royal coat of arms. The saltire is combined with England's St George's cross and Northern Ireland's red saltire on white, associated with St Patrick, to give the distinctive Union flag of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the Union Jack.